Parallel Systems focuses on transforming freight transportation by shifting cargo movement from trucks to rail. They develop automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicles designed to integrate seamlessly into existing railroad operations. This technology allows railroads to service routes under 1,000 miles, providing a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional trucking, especially for shorter distances. Unlike competitors, Parallel Systems emphasizes sustainability and flexibility, targeting railroads that want to expand their services and businesses looking for greener freight options. The company's goal is to reduce carbon emissions in the freight industry while offering innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency for railroads.

Congruent Ventures

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Automotive & Transportation

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Parallel Systems

Parallel Systems has developed battery-electric rail vehicles designed to move containers in a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective way than traditional trucks.

FRA Announces Hearing for G&W's Zero-Emissions Tech Test: What Railroad Professionals Need to Know

Parallel was awarded US$4,438,897 by the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) initiative, which is helping to fund the development, production and testing of the second generation electric rail vehicles.

Parallel Systems unveils second generation autonomous battery-electric rail vehicle

Railway safety was at the top of everyone’s minds last February, after a toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, sparked a health emergency. A new rail safety bill is winding its way through Congress, but that is a dim prospect as the media spotlight fades. Instead, local communities may have to wait until the era of autonomous electric vehicles begins to take shape and new safety-first technology plies the railways. Call Them Electric Vehicles, Not Trains. Derailments and toxic releases are the the first things that come to mind in terms of community rail safety, but even a non-derailed freight train can cause life-threatening problems. As train length increases, crossings are clogged for longer periods

Electric Vehicles & The End Of The Two-Mile Train

Second generation Parallel Systems autonomous-electric rail vehicle. Vehicle is designed to carry . [+] cargo containers that might otherwise by transported by trucks or traditional freight trains. Parallel SystemsNo locomotive, no caboose, or even an engineer. The autonomous electric rail cars developed by Los Angeles-based Parallel Systems both power and drive themselves.Founded in 2020 by a group of former SpaceX engineers, Parallel Systems introduced the second generation of its autonomous electric rail vehicle Tuesday.The cars are designed to carry shipping containers along the nation's rail system in an effort to both provide cleaner freight transportation and help solve the ongoing commercial truck driver shortage, according to co-founder and CEO Matt Soule.In particular, the autonomous-electric rail vehicles could handle what's known as dreyage—transporting shipping containers from ports to inland destinations—routes that can range from a few miles to a few hundred miles. That's a role traditionally played by trucks.Matt Soule, co-founder and CEO Parallel Systems

A 'Parallel' Path To Autonomous-Electric Rail Freight Travel

Earlier this year, Parallel Systems, a company founded by former SpaceX engineers, announced that it had begun testing its new autonomous battery-electric rail vehicle and proprietary autonomous train control system, as it works toward developing a solution to move freight cleaner, faster, safer, and more cost effectively than traditional trains or trucks.

Genesee & Wyoming to pilot zero-emission rail freight solution from Parallel Systems

Hauling freight by rail is an energy-saver compared to trucking it on highways, but there is always room for improvement. A startup called Parallel Systems has come up with a new approach to electric trains that could help push thousands of diesel trucks straight out of the freight business and possibly help resolve part of the truck driver shortage, too.Don’t Call It An Electric TrainParallel Systems crossed the CleanTechnica radar last year, when it busted out of stealth mode with the help of a $4.5 million grant from ARPA-E, the US Department of Energy office tasked with funding high risk, high reward ventures.Parallel certainly fits the bill. Instead of depending on battery powered locomotives to electrify whole freight trains, the company has come up with a system of individual, autonomous electric “rail vehicles” that vaguely resemble long, flat versions of the new zero emission USPS delivery trucks from the front, if you squint.“The zero emission, electric, autonomous rail vehicle model gives Parallel Systems the ability to break trains down into their component parts, enabling each railcar to split off individually or form new platoons with others,” we noted.With the benefit of zero emission logistics, Parallel Systems foresees at least three use cases that help reduce the need for cumbersome transfers between trucks and trains at key locations, including seaports and warehouses. The company also envisions the creation of “microterminals” that take up far less land than traditional rail yards, enabling them to be can located closer to shippers.Another benefit is the ability to uncouple and re-couple individual rail cars en route. In addition to logistics advantages, the system could enable an electric train to split itself on either side of railroad crossings, enabling emergency vehicles and other traffic to pass through as needed.The $4.5 Million Electric Train Of The FutureParallel contacted CleanTechnica by email with an update this week, and it looks like they put those ARPA-E dollars to good use.The company has one new “rail vehicle” under its belt, which ran through its paces at the company’s test track in California last November. They list emergency stopping, thermal capabilities, braking performance, GPS, communications, and towing among the features tested and confirmed to be consistent with expectations.The next steps involve building three more rail vehicles and bringing them for testing to the Colorado facility of MxV Rail, the research and consultancy branch of the Association of American Railroads.MxV has already consulted in the project, with a focus on derailment risk prevention

It’S An Electric Train, But Don’T Call It An Electric Train

This commentary was written by Jake C. Russell, a fellow with the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates. By Jake C. Russell

Viewpoint: Moving Toward Disaggregation In The Maritime And Rail Industries

(Parallel Systems) LOS ANGELES — Parallel Systems, the company seeking to build autonomous battery-powered intermodal rail vehicles, has received a $.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of its technology.

Moveparallel receives financing of $400K in grant

Parallel Systems, a Culver City, California-based company that aims to produce autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles, has received a $4.44 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy initiative (ARPA-E).

Department of Energy invests into Moveparallel in $4.44M

Parallel Systems, a company founded by former SpaceX engineers to reimagine the railroad system, has raised $49.55 million in Series A funds to build autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles that move freight.

Moveparallel receives financing of $49.6M in Series A funds

Automated battery-electric rail freight solutions

Parallel Systems

Automated battery-electric rail freight solutions

Parallel Systems

Automated battery-electric rail freight solutions

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